L.A. PARKER: Fight against AIDS is far from over, and N.J. must lead the way

By
L.A. Parker, The Trentonian

Friday, April 4, 2014

You can stumble upon hundreds of stories in the city of Trenton.

Some information is absolutely fantastic, while other encounters uncover sad realities about suffering, denial, and death.

Put yourself in the right environment and voila, newsworthy events can be found happening right before your eyes. News in this capital city can be either serendipitous or surreal.

Take for instance our troubled Marriott Hotel aka Lafayette Yard Hotel & Conference Center. Renovations have started in the main lobby which means another entrance is needed for checking in or guest services.

I needed change for a parking meter but found out about the renovations. Plus, hundreds of students are capital city guests this week as part of the YMCA Civic Engagement New Jersey Youth and Government Conference.

The New Jersey State House, Masonic Temple, and Thomas Edison College will serve as venues for the three-day event that immerses participants into legislative simulation.

This final notice could be one that saves your life.

The plan had been to make a one-minute stop at UIH Family Partners but the trip delivered an initiative for free HIV-AIDs testing.

You remember that disease, right?

Sure, medical successes have made it possible for people to lead productive lives with the disease, but serious body counts continue. The disease cuts a swath of unnecessary issues through the African American community.

Essentially, African Americans and Latinos continue to sleep on this disease after bedding down with an infected partner.

Hyacinth AIDS Foundation currently offers free testing Tuesdays through Fridays between the hours of 9:30 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Results are delivered in just 20 minutes.

Imagine that. An HIV & sexually transmitted disease test result in less time than it takes to complete a load of laundry. Just stop in the lobby of 4 North Broad Street, speak with an Hyacinth advocate then venture upstairs to Suite 4R for what may be the most important diagnosis of your life.

Yes, of course, a hook exists for anyone who needs incentive. Hyacinth distributes a $5 gift card to each person who comes in for a test.

This event provides a perfect connector to a thought that involves government and itís mission to save us from ourselves. We have seat belt laws, cell phone restrictions, car safety advocates, and a litany of other societal interventions.

However, New Jersey and most other states do not require a blood test before couples take their wedding vows. This failure to address a significant issue, especially in urban neighborhoods, suggests a lapse in judgment by political leaders.

In New Jersey, African Americans account for 14 percent of the population but statistics show they represent 54 percent of persons living with HIV/AIDs.

Those infection numbers more than double Latinos (23 percent) and Caucasians (22 percent). Black women are under siege as they account for 66 percent of new cases of HIV among women.

Thatís a pandemic. They represent five or six percent of the population but dominate the spreading of this disease. Health organizations and government leaders need an all-out assault on HIV issues.

If we are honest about current circumstances, many of these HIV/AIDs cases attach to urban poor who lack insurance and resources to successfully wage any real fight against a deadly disease.

While a mandate for HIV/AIDs testing before marriage may sound incredibly invasive, such an exam could serve as worthwhile prevention.

Yeah, I know, Big Brother or Super Sister. But with this disease still rampaging through our bedrooms and bodies, government involvement seems appropriate.

A major debate being waged in New Jersey involves the effectiveness of red-light cameras. We should have a public debate regarding governmentís role in this health matter.

Hyacinth in conjunction with Millhill, and HiTops expect to affect positive change with a National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness event on Saturday, April 12 at Trentonís Sam Naples Community Center at 611 Chestnut Ave.

Youth between ages of 13-20 can participate in a 5-9 p.m. event that features free HIV/AIDs testing, sexual health workshops, raffles, giveaways, food and snacks, and a DJ and dance party.